Continuous rug-positioning apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, the rug-positioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path, a dispensing rug support in the dispensing cabinet for supporting the associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from the dispensing cabinet, a takeup rug support in the takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto the takeup rug support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.

United States Patent [72] Inventor ElmerC.Brueckheimer [45] Patented [73] Assignee June 29, 1971 American Uniform Company Cleveland, Tenn.

[54] CONTINUOUS RUG-POSITIONING APPARATUS 9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI 242/673, 242/5553 [51] Int. Cl ..B65h 17/00, B6511 19/02 [50] Field of Search 242/55,

2,775,061 12/1956 Wahlstrom 242/673 2,880,442 4/1959 ShelbyW... 242/673 X 3,280,539 10/1966 Parrott 242/552 X 3,296,780 l/1967 Revell 242/552 X 3,350,856 11/1967 Revell 242/552 X Primary E.raminer-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Altorney- Prangley, Clayton, Mullin, Dithmar & Vogel ABSTRACT: There is disclosed a continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a-1ength of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, the rug-positioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path, a dispensing rug support in the dispensing cabinet for supporting the associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from the dispensing cabinet, a takeup rug support in the takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto the takeup rug support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined path and to replace the same with a length ofclean rug.

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CONTINUOUS RUG-POSITIONING APPARATUS The present invention relates generally to an apparatus that permits the user periodically to place a length ofclean rug in a public facility in front of the entrance to permit persons to wipe their feet thereon. As the rug becomes soiled, the apparatus permits rapid and easy removal of the soiled rug and replacement thereof with a clean length of rug.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a continuous rug-positioning apparatus that operates periodically to remove'a length of soiled rug from a traffic path traversed by persons and to replace the soiled rug with a length of clean rug.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a continuous rug-positioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet housing a supply of clean rug and a takeup cabinet housing the soiled rug and spaced from the dispensing cabinet, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug from the dispensing cabinet into a predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path into the takeup cabinet.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of the present invention is to provide the supply of clean rug in the form of a roll and rotatably to support the roll in the dispensing cabinet, and to form the soiled rug into a roll that is rotatably supported in the takeup cabinet. 7 Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing cabinet for housing a supply of clean rug and a takeup cabinet for housing the soiled rug, and a locking mechanism associated with one of the cabinets to prevent movement of the rug when the locking mechanism is in the locked condition thereof and to accommodate movement of the rug when the locking mechanism has been released.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a lid on each of the cabinets for use in gaining access thereto, one part of the locking mechanism being mounted on the cabinet and the other part of the locking mechanism being mounted on the lid so as to lock and release the locking mechanism respectively by closing and opening the lid.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rug-positioning apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart edging members directed generally parallel to each other and each having a guide surface, the guide surfaces being generally upstanding and in facing relationship to define a channel therebetween through which a rug may be guided, a dispensing cabinet for housing a supply of clean rug and mounted on one end of the edging members, and a takeup cabinet for housing the soiled rug and mounted on the other end of the edging members, the rug being drawn from the dispensing cabinet between the guide surfaces and into the takeup cabinet.

These and other important objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a continuous rug-positioning apparatus embodying, and constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a length of rug being disposed between the dispensing and takeup cabinets;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the continuous rug-positioning apparatus of FIG. 1, with the length of rug disposed between the dispensing and takeup cabinets;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the rug-positioning apparatus of FIG. I, with the length of rug disposed between the dispensing and takeup cabinets;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the dispensing cabinet of FIG. I with portions of the led being broken away;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view on an enlarged scale of the dispensing cabinet of FIG. I with portions of the lid being broken away;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged view in vertical section of one side of the dispensing cabinet with a portion of the rug support shaft being broken away to indicate engagement thereof with a handcrank which is shown in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a further enlarged view in horizontal section of one side of the dispensing cabinet with a portion of the rug support shaft being broken away to indicate engagement thereof with a handcrank which is shown in phantom; and

FIG. 8 is a view in vertical section of the dispensing cabinet taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof, there is shown a continuous rug-positioning apparatus 10 including a dispensing mechanism 20 housing a supply roll ofclean rug I5 and positioned adjacent to one side of a trafiic path across which persons walk. Disposed adjacent to the other side of the traffic path is a takeup mechanism 220 for use in receiving soiled rug and forming it into a takeup roll 16. There is also provided a pair of spacedapart edging members directed generally parallel to each other and disposed in use transversely to the traffic path, the dispensing mechanism 20 being mounted on the edging members I30 adjacent to one end thereof, and the takeup mechanism 220 being mounted on the edging members 130 adjacent to the other end thereof.

The continuous rug-positioning apparatus 10 has particular application in public facilities where large numbers of persons enter and leave during a given time interval. When it is snowing, raining, hailing, etc., it has been common practice for the janitor to place a rug or rugs in front of each of the entranceways to permit persons entering the facility to wipe their feet. It has been found, that these rugs become soiled rather quickly so that they must be rolled up and cleaned often. In addition, large rugs that may be placed neat the entranceway to permit the rugs to remain a longer period of time before cleaning are unsightly and difficult to manage.

On the other hand, the present invention provides a supply roll of clean rug 15 to be placed in the dispensing mechanism 20, a length of clean rug 17 being withdrawn from the dispensing mechanism 20 and positioned between the edging members 130, with the free end of the length 17 being affixed in the takeup mechanism 220 as will be explained, The rugpositioning apparatus 10 is placed in the public facility so that the length of clean rug I7 is directly in front of the entranceway where people enter. When the length of rug 17 becomes soiled, the janitor operates the rug-positioning apparatus 10, as will be presently described, to remove the length of rug 17 from the traffic path and place it in the takeup mechanism 220. Simultaneously a fresh length of clean rug I7 is withdrawn from the dispensing mechanism 20 and into the traffic path with a minumum of effort.

Although not necessary, in the preferred embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 20 and the takeup mechanism 220 are identical. Accordingly, the ensuing description will be directed toward the dispensing mechanism 20, but it is to be understood that the remarks made with respect thereto are equally applicable to the takeup mechanism 220. For simplicity, elements on the takeup mechanism 220 corresponding to elements on the dispensing mechanism 20 are labeled with the same reference numerals but with a factor of 200 added on.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 8, the details of construction of the dispensing mechanism 20 will be described. There is provided a dispensing cabinet 21 including a rear wall 22 which carries an elongated lower flange 23a at the lower end thereof and an elongated upper flange 23b at the upper end thereof. The dispensing cabinet 21 also includes a sidewall 24 extending forwardly from the rear wall 22 at one side thereof, an elongated lower flange 25 being disposed on the lower end of the sidewall 24 and lying in the same plane as the lower flange 230. There is also provided an elongated upper flange 26 on the upper end of the sidewall 24 and lying in the same plane as the upper flange 23b. Disposed on the other side of the rear wall 22 and extending forwardly therefrom is a second sidewall 27 disposed generally parallel to the first sidewall 24,

and carrying an elongated lower flange 28 lying in the same plane as the lower flange 23a and an elongated upper flange 29 lying in the same plane as the upper flange 23b. The dispensing cabinet 21 also includes a narrow elongated front flange disposed generally parallel to the rear wall 22 and spaced therefrom, the flange 30 carrying an inturned lip 31 disposed generally parallel to the wall 24. A similar flange 30 and lip 31 are disposed on the front end of the sidewall 27. The dispensing cabinet 21 around three sides thereof, thus has essentially continuous lower and upper flanges. In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing cabinet 21 is formed of a unitary sheet of metal cut and bent to form the rear wall 22, the sidewalls 24 and 27, the flanges 23a, 23b, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 and the inturned lip 31. Mounted on the front flange 30 and on the corresponding front flange (not shown) on the sidewall 27, are bumpers 34. Finally, there is provided a bushing which is snap fitted into an opening formed centrally in the sidewall 24.

Respectively mounted on the sidewalls 24 and 27 is a pair of shaft support assemblies horizontally aligned with each other and with the bushing 35. The assemblies 40 are virtually identical, whereby only the one mounted on the wall 24 will be described, but it is understood that the remarks are equally ap plicable to the assembly 40 mounted on the wall 27. Each assembly 40 includes a pair of mounting brackets 41 each having a pair of oppositely directed attachment flanges 42 and 43. One of the mounting brackets 41 is disposed rearwardly of the bushing 35 and the other mounting bracket 41 is disposed forwardly of the bushing 35, the brackets 41 being attached to the sidewall 24 by nuts and bolts 44 engaging the flanges 42. There is also provided a bearing 45 in the form of a lubric material including a U-shaped upwardly facing, part circular bearing surface 46, the bearing 45 being attached to the flanges 43 of the brackets 41 by means of rivets 47. The dispensing mechanism 20 further includes a hollow shaft that is circular in transverse cross section and has longitudinally aligned hooks 51 secured thereto by means of rivets 52. The hooks 51 may be used to engage eyelets in the free end of a rug. There is also provided keeper structure 55 which includes a pin 56 passing transversely through the shaft 50 and held in place by a collar 57.

The dispensing mechanism 20 further includes a base frame 60 formed of a rear base frame member 61 having an outwardly directed attachment flange 62 and an inwardly directed support flange 63 spaced from the flange 62, the attachment flange 62 being secured to the lower flange 23a on the dispensing cabinet 21, as by welding. Also there is provided a pair of side base fame members 64 respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of rear base frame member 61 and directed generally normal thereto and extending generally parallel to each other, each of the side base frame members 64 including an outwardly directed attachment flange 65 and an inwardly directed support flange 66 disposed generally parallel to the attachment flange 65. The attachment flange 65 is joined, as by welding, to the lower flange 25 on the right (as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5) sidewall 24. Similarly the attachment flange 65 on the left side base frame member 64 is attached to the lower flange 28 on the left sidewall 27.

The dispensing mechanism 20 also includes an L-shaped lid 70 having a top wall 71, a rear flange 72 depending from the rear end thereof which in turn carries an inturned flange 73. Depending downwardly respectively from the sides of the top wall 71 are side flanges 74 which in turn respectively carry inturned flanges 75. The front end of the top wall 71 carries a downwardly extending front wall 76 directed generally normal thereto. Disposed at the bottom of the front wall 76 is an inwardly directed bottom flange 77 and disposed at the sides of the front wall 76 are a pair of rearwardly extending side flanges 78 which in turn carry relatively narrow inturned flanges 79. There is further provided a piano hinge 80 respectively joined to the upper flange 23/7 on the rear wall 22 and joined to the inturned flange 73 on the lid 70. Accordingly, the

lid 70 is pivotally mounted on the dispensing cabinet 21 and can be pivoted from an open position wherein both the top and front of the dispensing cabinet 21 are accessible to a user, and a closed position. Disposed adjacent to the bottom of the lid 70 is an elongated handle having an attachment flange 91 attached to the bottom flange 77 by means of nuts and bolts 93. The handle 90 includes an elongated gripping member 92 extending downwardly and outwardly from the attachment flar ige 91, which gripping member 92 may be grasped by a user in order to pivot the lid 70 between the open and closed positions thereof. There is also provided an elongated closure plate secured to the lid 70 by means of an attachment flange 101 and the nuts and bolts 93. The closure plate 100 serves to close the forward opening in the base frame 60 when the lid 70 is in the closed position thereof, thereby completely sealing off the interior of the dispensing cabinet 21.

The dispensing mechanism 20 further includes a locking mechanism comprised of an elongated first channelshaped locking member 111 secured to the closure plate 100 and having a web portion 112 defining a first abutment surface 113 thereon that faces downwardly and extends generally parallel to the floor 11 when the lid 70 is in the closed position thereof. The locking mechanism 110 further includes an elongated second channel-shaped locking member 114 secured at the ends thereof to the support flanges of the base fame 60 at the ends thereof by means of rivets 114a. The top of the leg 115 of the locking member 114 defines a second abutment surface 116 that faces upwardlyand is directed generally parallel to the floor 11. The location of the first locking member 111 on the closure member 100 is selected so that the space between the abutment surfaces 113 and 116 when the lid 70 is in the closed position thereof is slightly less than the thickness of the rug with which the continuous rug-positioning apparatus 10 is to be used. Accordingly, when the lid 70 is in the closed position thereof the locking mechanism 110 is in its locking condition and the rug 17 is disposed between the abutment surfaces 113 and 116 which forcibly press against the opposite sides of the rug 17 to prevent movement thereof. When the lid 70 is pivoted to the open position thereof, the locking member 111 and its abutment surface 113 are moved away from the locking member 114 and its abutment surface 116, thereby to release the locking mechanism 110 and free the rug 17 to accommodate movement thereof.

The dispensing mechanism 20 finally includes a handcrank 120 consisting of an L-shaped handgrip portion 121 and a tubular patch portion 122. The diameter of the latch portion 122 is slightly less than the inside diameter of the hollow shaft 50 to permit removable insertion of the latch portion 122 into the shaft 50. Formed in the tubular latch portion 122 is a longitudinally extending slot extending from the free end and facing a width slightly greater than the diameter of the pin 56. When the tubular latch portion 122 is inserted in the shaft 50, it is oriented until the pin 56 is disposed within the slot 123. The handgrip portion 121 may be gripped by a user and rotated to rotate the shaft 50 as will be explained.

In the preferred embodiment, the dispensing mechanism 220 is identical to the dispensing mechanism 20 and includes each of the elements described, and in the interest of brevity no further description of the parts of the dispensing mechanism 220 will be made. it is to be understood that all the parts mentioned with respect to the dispensing mechanism 20 are not required for proper operation of the takeup mechanism 220, and vice versa. For example, it is not necessary that the dispensing mechanism 220 include the bushing 35 in one sidewall and the keeper structure 55. The handcrank 120 and the keeper structure 55 cooperate to pull clean rug out of the dispensing mechanism 20, and for that reason keeper structure 55 need only be provided in the takeup mechanism 220. In addition, the rug-locking mechanism 110, although preferably provided on both the dispensing mechanism 20 and the takeup mechanism 220 may instead he provided as part of one or the other, preferably the dispensing mechanism 20 to prevent clean rug from being pulled out.

The continuous rug-positioning apparatus finally in cludes a pair of spaced-apart edging members 1311 directed generally parallel to each other and each having a guide surface 131, a ramp 132 and an upper surface 133 (see FIG. 6 particularly). The guide surfaces 131 are generally upstanding and in facing relationship to define a channel therebetween through which the rug from the supply roll may be guided. The upper surfaces 133 are generally coplanar with each other and with the exposed side of the length of rug 17 that is disposed between the dispensing mechanism 20 and the takeup mechanism 220, with each ramp 132 presenting an outwardly and downwardly sloping entrance (or egress as the case may be) to the rug 17 so as to minimize the possibility of tripping over it. In the preferred form, the edging members 130 are each formed ofa rubber extrusion. The support flange 66 of one of the side base frame members 60 is supported on the upper surface 133 of one of the edging members 130 at one end thereof and is attached thereto, and the support flange 66 of the other side base frame member 60 is supported on the upper surface 133 of the other edging member 130 of the corresponding end thereof and is attached thereto. In a similar fashion, the side base frame members of the takeup mechanism 220 are respectively attached to the other ends of the edging members 130.

In using the continuous rug-positioning apparatus 10, the edging members 130 are placed in a facility in front of the doorway with the guide surfaces 131 facing each other and the sloping surfaces defined by the ramps 132 sloping downwardly and outwardly. The dispensing mechanism 20 is placed and mounted on the edging members 130 adjacent to one end thereof as described, and the takeup mechanism 220 is mounted on the edging members 130 adjacent to the other end thereof, so that the mechanisms 20 and 220 are disposed on opposite sides of the doorway. The lid 70 of the dispensing mechanism 20 may be moved to its open position by grasping the gripping member 92 on the handle 90 and pivoting the lid 70 was to expose the interior of the dispensing cabinet 20 both through its top and through its front. A supply roll 15 of clean rug on a shaft 50 is positioned in the dispensing cabinet 21 such that one end of the shaft 50 lies in the bearing surfaces 46 of one of the shaft support assemblies 40, and the other end of the shaft 50 rests upon the bearing surface 416 of the other shaft support assembly 40. The free end of the rug on the supply roll 15 is grasped, pulled and placed upon the shaft (not shown) in the takeup mechanism 220. In the embodiment shown, hooks on the shaft, such as hooks 51, would engage eyelets in the free end of the rug. The length of rug 17 between the dispensing mechanism 20 and the takeup mechanism 220 is disposed between the guide surfaces 131 of the edging members 130 and lies flat upon the floor 11, the exposed side of the length of rug 17 being coplanar with the upper surfaces 133 of the edging members 130 and cooperating with the ramps 132 to minimize tripping. The lid 70 is pivoted to the closed position thereof so that the abutment surface 113 on the first locking member 111 faces the abutment surface 116 on the second locking member 114. Because the spacing between the abutment surfaces at this time is less than the thickness of the rug 17, the abutment surface 113 forcibly presses against the adjacent side of the portion of the rug adjacent to the locking mechanism 110 to prevent movement thereof. Similarly, when the lid 270 on the takeup mechanism 220 is closed, a locking mechanism similar to 110 will engage the adjacent portion of the rug adjacent thereto to prevent rug movement.

The continuous rug-positioning apparatus 10 is now in condition to be used by persons to wipe their feet as they enter the facility. After a certain amount of usage, the exposed length of rug 17 becomes soiled and the janitor will then open the lid 70 to release the locking mechanism 110 by displacing the abutment surface 113 away from the abutment surface 116 to accommodate free movement of the rug. Similarly, the lid 270 will be opened to release the locking mechanism in the takeup mechanism 220. The janitor then inserts the tubular latch portion 122 of the handcrank 120 into the hollow shaft (not shown) in the takeup mechanism 220, similarly to that shown and described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. He then grasps the handgrip portion 121 and rotates the same to rotate the shaft to pull a length of clean rug 17 from the supply roll 15 for' placement in the area between the dispensing mechanisms 20 and 220 and between the edging members 130, and taking up a like length of the soiled rug from the predetermined path into the takeup cabinet 221.

It can be appreciated that the operation of removing the soiled rug and replacing it with clean rug can be rapidly and easily attained with the invention thus described.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rugpositioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path, a

dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from said dispensing cabinet a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, a ruglocking mechanism on at least one of said cabinets and having a locking condition for engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and a release condition accommodating movement of the associated rug, and means operative when said rug-locking mechanism is in the release condition thereof for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto said takeup rug support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.

2. The continuous rug-positioning apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a rug-locking mechanism on the other of said cabinets and having a locking condition for engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and a release condition accommodating movement of the associated rug.

3. The continuous rug-positioning apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said rug-locking mechanism is on said dispensing cabinet.

4. In a continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path including a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path for supporting soiled rug, the combination comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from the associated takeup cabinet, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting a supply of clean rug, a dispensing lid associated with said dispensing cabinet and having open and closed positions with respect thereto, and a rug-locking mechanism on said dispensing cabinet and on said dispensing lid and having a locked condition when said lid is in the closed position thereof and a release condition when said led is in the open position thereof, said rug-locking mechanism in the locked condition thereof engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and in the release condition thereof releasing the rug to accommodate movement thereof to permit removal of soiled rug from the predetermined path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein said ruglocking mechanism includes a first locking member on said dispensing cabinet and having a first abutment surface in contact with one side of the associated rug, and a second locking member on said dispensing lid and having a second abutment surface, said second abutment surface in the closed position of said lid being in facing relationship with said first abutment surface and forcibly pressing against the opposite side of the associated rug to prevent movement thereof. said second abutment surface in the open position of said dispensing lid being displaced from said first abutment surface to accommodate free movement ofthe associated rug.

6. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rugpositioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for rotatably supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a dispensing lid associated with said dispensing cabinet and having open and closed positions with respect thereto, a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from said dispensing cabinet, a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for rotatably supporting soiled rug, :1 takeup lid associated with said takeup cabinet and having open and closed positions with respect thereto, a rug-locking mechanism on at least one of said cabinets and on the associated lid and having a locked condition when the associated lid is in the closed position thereof and a release condition when the associated lid is in the open position thereof, said rug-locking mechanism in the locked condition thereof engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and in the release condition thereof releasing the rug to accommodate movement thereof, and means operative when said rug-locking mechanism is in the release condition thereof for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto said takeup rug support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.

7. The continuous rug-positioning apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said rug-locking mechanism includes a first locking member on said one cabinet and having a first abutment surface in contact with one side of the associated rug, and a second locking member on the associated lid and having a second abutment surface, said second abutment surface in the closed position of the associated lid being in facing relationship with said first abutment surface and forcibly pressing against the opposite side of the associated rug to prevent movement thereof, said second abutment surface in the open position of the associated lid being displaced from said first abutment surface to accommodate free movement of the associated rug.

8. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rugpositioning apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart edging members directed generally parallel to each other and disposed in use transversely to the predetermined traffic path and each having a guide surface, said guide surfaces being generally upstanding and in facing relationship to define a channel therebetween through which the associated rug may be guided, each of said edging members including a ramp sloping from the exposed side of the associated rug downwardly and outwardly, a dispensing cabinet disposed in use on one side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to one end thereof, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use on the other side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to the other end thereof, a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path between said guide surfaces and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined t4affic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.

9. A continuous rug positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rugpositioning apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart edging members formed of a rubber extrusion and directed enerally parallel to each other and disposed in use transversey to the predetermined traffic path and each having a guide surface, said guide surfaces being generally upstanding and in facing relationship to define a channel therebetween through which the associated rug may be guided, a dispensing cabinet disposed in use on one side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to one end thereof, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use on the other side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to the other end thereof, a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereofinto the predetermined traffic path between said guide surfaces and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto said takeup support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug. 

1. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, Said rugpositioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from said dispensing cabinet a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, a rug-locking mechanism on at least one of said cabinets and having a locking condition for engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and a release condition accommodating movement of the associated rug, and means operative when said rug-locking mechanism is in the release condition thereof for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto said takeup rug support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.
 2. The continuous rug-positioning apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a rug-locking mechanism on the other of said cabinets and having a locking condition for engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and a release condition accommodating movement of the associated rug.
 3. The continuous rug-positioning apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said rug-locking mechanism is on said dispensing cabinet.
 4. In a continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path including a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path for supporting soiled rug, the combination comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from the associated takeup cabinet, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting a supply of clean rug, a dispensing lid associated with said dispensing cabinet and having open and closed positions with respect thereto, and a rug-locking mechanism on said dispensing cabinet and on said dispensing lid and having a locked condition when said lid is in the closed position thereof and a release condition when said led is in the open position thereof, said rug-locking mechanism in the locked condition thereof engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and in the release condition thereof releasing the rug to accommodate movement thereof to permit removal of soiled rug from the predetermined path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein said rug-locking mechanism includes a first locking member on said dispensing cabinet and having a first abutment surface in contact with one side of the associated rug, and a second locking member on said dispensing lid and having a second abutment surface, said second abutment surface in the closed position of said lid being in facing relationship with said first abutment surface and forcibly pressing against the opposite side of the associated rug to prevent movement thereof, said second abutment surface in the open position of said dispensing lid being displaced from said first abutment surface to accommodate free movement of the associated rug.
 6. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rug-positioning apparatus comprising a dispensing cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for rotatably supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a dispensing lid associated with said dispensing cabinet and having open and closed positions with respect thereto, a takeup cabinet disposed in use adjacent to the predetermined path and spaced from said dispensing cabinet, a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for rotatably supporting soiled rug, a takeup lid associated with said takeup cabinet and having open and closed positiOns with respect thereto, a rug-locking mechanism on at least one of said cabinets and on the associated lid and having a locked condition when the associated lid is in the closed position thereof and a release condition when the associated lid is in the open position thereof, said rug-locking mechanism in the locked condition thereof engaging the associated rug to prevent movement thereof and in the release condition thereof releasing the rug to accommodate movement thereof, and means operative when said rug-locking mechanism is in the release condition thereof for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto said takeup rug support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.
 7. The continuous rug-positioning apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said rug-locking mechanism includes a first locking member on said one cabinet and having a first abutment surface in contact with one side of the associated rug, and a second locking member on the associated lid and having a second abutment surface, said second abutment surface in the closed position of the associated lid being in facing relationship with said first abutment surface and forcibly pressing against the opposite side of the associated rug to prevent movement thereof, said second abutment surface in the open position of the associated lid being displaced from said first abutment surface to accommodate free movement of the associated rug.
 8. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rug-positioning apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart edging members directed generally parallel to each other and disposed in use transversely to the predetermined traffic path and each having a guide surface, said guide surfaces being generally upstanding and in facing relationship to define a channel therebetween through which the associated rug may be guided, each of said edging members including a ramp sloping from the exposed side of the associated rug downwardly and outwardly, a dispensing cabinet disposed in use on one side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to one end thereof, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use on the other side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to the other end thereof, a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug from the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path between said guide surfaces and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined t4affic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug.
 9. A continuous rug-positioning apparatus for maintaining a length of clean rug in a predetermined traffic path, said rug-positioning apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart edging members formed of a rubber extrusion and directed generally parallel to each other and disposed in use transversely to the predetermined traffic path and each having a guide surface, said guide surfaces being generally upstanding and in facing relationship to define a channel therebetween through which the associated rug may be guided, a dispensing cabinet disposed in use on one side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to one end thereof, a dispensing rug support in said dispensing cabinet for supporting an associated supply of clean rug, a takeup cabinet disposed in use on the other side of the predetermined path and attached to said edging members adjacent to the other end thereof, a takeup rug support in said takeup cabinet for supporting the soiled rug, and means for dispensing a length of clean rug froM the supply thereof into the predetermined traffic path between said guide surfaces and for taking up a like length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path onto said takeup support, whereby periodically to remove a length of soiled rug from the predetermined traffic path and to replace the same with a length of clean rug. 